PBA: Magnolia knocks out Ginebra, nabs last semis berth

The Hotshots are moving on to the semifinals. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Relentless offensively and unforgiving on the other end, Magnolia frustrated Barangay Ginebra, 85 -72, to round out the PBA Philippine Cup’s Final Four cast Wednesday night at the Big Dome.

Neck-and-neck with their foes in the opening salvo, the Hotshots cranked it up in the second frame behind Paul Lee, who paced the squad with 25 points.

The rest of the Hotshots took turns in the succeeding frames to keep the Gin Kings at bay and earn a race-to-four semifinal clash with Rain or Shine beginning Friday at the same venue.

“It’s all God’s will. I don’t know how we survived this conference. I know there’s more but we started at 0-3, we went to 1-4. We started slow, but I’m very proud and happy with the players’ grit and desire to get out of that rut,” said head coach Chito Victolero.

“We’re not the most talented team. But in terms of chemistry, I think we’re number one,” he added. “We weathered a storm.”

Mark Barroca scored 13 and Aldrech Ramos 11 to chime in on the effort for the Hotshots.

Jeff Chan paced Ginebra with 17 points, while Japeth Aguilar added 16 more. Scottie Thompson had three but corralled 19 boards in the loss.

The scores:

Magnolia 85 – Lee 25, Barroca 13, Ramos 11, Sangalang 10, Reavis 6, Jalalon 6, Brondial 5, Dela Rosa 4, Melton 3, Herndon 2.

Ginebra 72 – Chan 17, Aguilar 16, Devance 12, Slaughter 9, Mercado 8, Tenorio 5, Thompson 3, Dela Cruz 2, Ferrer 0.

Quarters: 20-23, 42-37, 70-50, 85-72.